Guillermo del Toro to Oversee New Genre Banner

If you could hand the keys of any particular genre kingdom to anyone right now, a name top of many a fan’s list would be the magical Guillermo del Toro. So, it’s all kinds of cool to hear that the Oscar winner has been tasked with overseeing a new genre label for Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Of course, del Toro is fresh off nabbing the Best Director and Best Picture gongs at this year’s Academy Awards, with The Shape of Water wowing many a fan and critic alike. And now, he’ll be having his fingers in plentiful pies for Fox Searchlight, beginning with a picture called Antlers. That movie centres on a school teacher who takes in a troubled student who just so happens to have a mysterious family secret that could have some major consequences. Scott Cooper is on directing duties for that, with Guillermo del Toro serving as producer on the effort. Moving forward, this to-be-titled new genre banner will see del Toro write, produce, and/or direct future efforts for Fox Searchlight.

The official press release on all of this reads:

Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley announced today that Fox Searchlight Pictures has signed a deal with Academy Award® winning director Guillermo del Toro that covers live action feature film projects to be written, produced and/or directed by del Toro. Fox Searchlight is also creating a new, soon to be named, label which will serve as a home for projects in the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres, including those produced and curated by del Toro. Films will be financed, marketed and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

For del Toro’s part, he enthused, “For the longest time, I’ve hoped to find an environment in which I can distribute, nurture and produce new voices in smart, inventive genre films and channel my own. In Fox Searchlight, I’ve found a real home for live action production — a partnership based on hard work, understanding of each other and, above all, faith.  After the wonderful experience I had with Fox Searchlight on ‘The Shape of Water,’ I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the relationship. I am more than grateful to Nancy, Steve, David and Matthew for their trust in me and for joining me on this adventure.”

As ever, expect more on all of this as it continues to develop.